Chris Cassells Magician

Kind thanks to Member of The Magic Circle and former President of The Harrogate Society of Magicians, James Ward, for writing up this review.

On the 19th November, Chris Cassells’ one-man show, ‘From Houdini to Potter’ played to a packed Pateley Bridge Playhouse. The evening – sold out well in advance – traced the history of magic through the ages, highlighting the work of some of its greatest practitioners. Over a fast-paced, fun-packed 75 minutes, Ripon-based Chris – a member of the famous Magic Circle – predicted events, conjured up ghost-like images and, at one point, brought the house down with an hilarious spectator-assisted routine reminiscent of the late, great Tommy Cooper. In familiar Derren Brown fashion, he plucked thoughts from minds, manipulated decisions and, in a rousing finale, filled the stage with spectators for one final, bewildering revelation. Chris hopes to take his show to next year’s Edinburgh Fringe and, if audience reaction at Pateley Bridge is anything to go by, he’ll soon be entertaining even bigger audiences with his stylish and captivating brand of magic.